LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The start of the school year is still months away, but the City of Louisville welcomed some soon-to-be teachers as they prepare for their careers in education. 

After teaching English in South Korea for the last 15 years, Michael Douglas said he hopes to continue his career in Louisville through the Teach Kentucky program.

But he said being at the front of the class wasn’t always what he had planned for his life.

“I had wanted to work in government, particularly as a foreign service officer," Douglas said. "... I had never planned to get into teaching, but I think I realized that I have an aptitude for it. I have a lot of teaching experience, but no formal training." 

Teach Kentucky is an effort to bring people from all across the country who are not yet certified in the commonwealth to launch their education careers. 

Allie Foster, who is also in the Teach Kentucky program, said she has always been passionate about education but didn’t know how to get into it.

“I've never taught in an actual classroom setting, but I feel like through Teach Kentucky, they're doing everything that they can to best prepare you for the classroom,” said Foster.

Rowan Claypool, founder of Teach Kentucky, said the program is particularly focused on training those who teach STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and English as a second language. 

Claypool added there were initially 400 applicants before that number was reduced to 40 participants, making it competitive for those who want to teach in the Louisville area. 

"We're really getting the people; it's very hard for the district to find on their own,” said Claypool.

Douglas and Foster said they're excited to inspire the next generation of students and bring more diversity to Louisville.

“I'm hoping it might motivate them and bolster their confidence a little bit because a lot of the students I'm going to be teaching are newcomers or they haven't been here very long," Douglas said. "I think I can relate to them that I've actually been in your shoes."

“I think it's really neat to be able to bring in people all across the country and even the world into Louisville, Kentucky, for something that's really going to make a difference,” Foster said. 

Over 24 years, Teach Kentucky has brought a total of 520 teachers from 47 different states. The program will have around 250 teachers in the state of Kentucky this fall, in addition to the 40 who just moved to Louisville. 

Those who are not yet certified will earn certification through a Master of Arts in Teaching program at the University of Louisville, Spalding University or Asbury University.